The Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards
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The Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards are Council’s annual way to recognise “quiet achievers, passionate volunteers, creative minds and community groups who make a real difference” on the Sunshine Coast.
The awards had been replaced / rebranded (in recent years) under the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards format, partly to emphasise sustainability and the region’s UNESCO Biosphere credentials.
Due to community feedback, the Australia Day Awards are being reinstated in the traditional timing and format, while the Biosphere Awards will continue alongside (with a separate schedule).
The reinstated awards aim to restore community connection to the Australia Day tradition of recognising local leaders, volunteers, groups.
The categories for the 2026 awards are (or will likely be) as follows:
Citizen of the Year (sponsored by 7 News Sunshine Coast)
Senior Citizen of the Year (Maroochy RSL)
Young Citizen of the Year (92.7 Mix FM)
Community Group or Organisation
Creative Arts
Healthy & Active
KEY DATES
Nominations are open now
Nominations close – Sunday, 30 November 2025
Awards Ceremony / Recipient announcement – Friday, 23 January 2026
